What makes an acquisition successful?

Posted 28th May 2019

A survey conducted earlier this year by Deloitte in the USA
of corporate and private equity executives ranked effective integration as the
single most important factor leading to a successful transaction (23% of
respondents).

Integrating two businesses after an acquisition is often
more challenging than bringing the deal to fruition. Many acquisitions fail to
add value, or can destroy it, because the purchaser is not properly prepared
for “what happens next”. Achieving completion
may often feel like the end point has been reached – but in fact what it really
means is that you are only on the start line.

It is essential to prepare for integration well ahead of
completion. This means identifying urgent tasks that should be set out in a
detailed action plan and set in motion before the ink is dry on the contract. The
first 100 days after completion are critical. This is the formative period
during which you can accomplish early wins, while laying firm foundations for
the future.

There may be cultural differences between the businesses
which will need to be overcome. It is important to keep your existing team
motivated, while bringing in new people who may be used to a different way of
doing things. Personal tensions, uncertainties and misunderstandings can lead
to lost productivity.

Clear communications with all stakeholders must be a key
part of the integration process. Customers, employees, investors, suppliers,
and even, perhaps, the local community need to understand what the acquisition
means for them.

The importance of sound leadership at all levels cannot be
overstated. Decide well ahead of completion on key management positions and who
is going to fill them. An effective integration plan must set out clear
responsibilities and lines of reporting that are universally understood and will
be implemented.

The Deloitte survey ranked other factors which the
respondents considered to be important in achieving a successful transaction in
order as follows; economic certainty (19% of respondents), accurately valuing a
target (18% of respondents), stable regulatory and legislative environment (15%
of respondents), proper target identification (14% of respondents) and sound
due diligence process (11% of respondents).

The corporate finance team at MHA Moore and Smalley has a
wealth of experience of advising on transactions of all sizes in a wide range
of sectors. If you would like to discuss this blog in more detail, please
contact Paul Bennett from our Corporate Finance team on 01772 821021.